Came out today mainly to help with the dog trainer's annual pick up 
the trash day. Beforehand I checked the main impoundments for waterfowl. 
Tried for woodcocks but I was a little too late. However my reward was a 
GREAT HORNED OWL which flew and landed at the parking lot and then flew off 
again and identified itself by calling before it disappeared.
         Waterfowl were fairly common in the large impoundment- Wood Duck 
(5), Gadwall (5), Am Wigeon (12), Ring-necked Duck (at least 89), Hooded 
Merganser (18), and Am Coot (3). Also had 76 Canada Geese, mostly in 2 
flocks flying over, a Pied-billed Grebe calling from the cattails in the 
first impoundment to the west, and 2 Wilson's Snipe.
       Tree Swallows have changed their behavior and are now sitting on the 
nest boxes.
        As for the cleanup it was quite successful with many dog trainers, 
people from the Ruffed Grouse Society, and 3 birders.  The only missing 
element was someone from the DNR to help cart the trash away.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA
 

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